As California battles severe fires, the impacts are felt beyond state lines.
The Eaton, Palisades, Hurst and Kenneth fires started Tuesday and in these three days BYU-Idaho student Jennifer Lopez has watched the skies turn black, the sun turn orange and the air turn smoky inflaming her asthma and making it hard for her to breathe in her home in Los Angeles.
“Watching this all unfold has been heartbreaking and terrifying,” Lopez said. “I've watched my stomping grounds threatened and burned to the ground. Me and my family have kept an eye on the fires all night and day because we see how fast it can move and how far it can jump. So, we've been in flight mode. Nobody is safe no matter how far they think they are. It has been heartbreaking to see people's homes burned down and wildlife struggle to escape.”
Firefighters from other states, including Idaho, and the National Guard have traveled to California to help contain the fires, but as of right now, the evacuated areas are dangerous, and people are unable to begin rebuilding their communities.
Nine members of the Pasadena Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have already lost homes and the stake’s communication director Lesley Ford says it is currently difficult to serve and support the area because of the ongoing danger.
“We're kind of at the beginning of this kind of disaster,” Ford said. “I know that it will cause the ward to come together. Unfortunately, it will displace many ward members. I think it's kind of a day-by-day situation as we are able to open our ward buildings to others who are affected and are able to rally around them as they get back on their feet.”
Ford encourages Idahoans to continue to pray for rain, fog and the people affected by the fires.
“The Church gives many things through fast offering donations, so I think that there'll be opportunities at that time, but at this point, there's really no place to receive things,” Ford said.
Lopez continues to follow the fires with her family and makes sure they will be safe.
“I leave for school tomorrow and I'm afraid to leave my family behind because we don't know what can happen next,” Lopez said.